PANOMUNDO PART 1: THE EVOLUTION OF THE STEELPAN

The enslavement of Africans, may have been the catalyst, but culture and passion formed this sound in Trinidad & Tobago. The steelpan can take the claim of being the only acoustic instrument invented in the 20th century. However, this sound not only moves people today, but it paralleled the island’s history of colonization and the demand for independence.

The first section of this two-part film highlights the precursors of the steelpan and the creation of the instrument until it gained international recognition in Britain in 1951. Interviews from steelpan legends, such as Ellie Mannette, Sterling Betancourt, Cliff Alexis and Ray Holman, are included.

by CHARYSSE TIA HARPER
Being a dual citizen of the United States and Trinidad & Tobago, Charysse Tia Harper has focused projects on her Trinidad culture: award-winning film, The Other Side of Carnival, T&T 50 in Fifteen and Panomundo Part 1: The Evolution of the Steelpan and Part 2: Pan Worldwide; and on her American identity: award-winning documentary, 12 Months and Insurance: Putting Newark on the Map.

Tia holds BA degrees in Cinema and Journalism and MAs in Management and International Relations. She has lived in the United States, United Kingdom and Trinidad & Tobago and currently resides in New York City.

and

KEITH MUSAMAN MORTON
Keith Musaman Morton was born and raised in Birmingham, England, to parents from St. Kitts and Nevis. Starting off as a musician, Keith then transferred to the cinematic scene where he moved to London to study Video and Audio Techniques.

Keith has always had strong interest in Black history, arts, culture and literature, which was the inspiration for production company Komonopromo.” In 2010, he completed his first film entitled Day One, a short drama that explores the question of motherhood love and sacrifice. The film went on to win an audience Award at the New York International Film Festival 2011.

His present project, Panomundo is in collaboration with US company Xplore the world. A two-part documentary about the history of the steelpan and its global influence, the first section – Part 1: The Evolution of the Steelpan – premiered at the British Film Institute in August 2015. Part 2: Pan Worldwide had a private screening in Trinidad & Tobago in November 2017. The film will have a dual-disc DVD release in summer 2018.

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO || 2015 || 42 MINS